The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-11
AMONG THE MAGAZINES.
What Literary Men Are Talking About-The
Application Of Science to Practical Uses.

| The portraits which form the frontispieces of
| several of the March magazines are noticeable
both for their intrinsic excellence and their his
torical value. That of President Theirs in
Seribner is one to which the reader.will turn
again and again in admiration not only of the
strkinRiy handsome face represented, but of the
mechanical execution of the engraving. The
Century gives full page portrait of Edwin NJ.
Stanton. while the Popular Science Monthly,
which Usually does not concern itself with the
pictorial art in illustration of scientific prob
lens. presents to its readers likeness of its
recently deceased editor, Prof. Edward L. You
mans. A biographical sketch of this distin-
guished man, written by his sister. gives some
interesting facts concerning his early life which
have not been generally known. The ambition
persistence and eager hunger for knowledge
which led him to triumph over the difficulties
which beset him in the shape of limited means
and defective eyesight that at times became
almost total blindness, form an example which
American youth will do we'll to study and emu
late Mr. Appleton Morgan, in his discussion of
the question Are Railroads Public Enemies"
makes comment which, while not intended.
is very pat in its application to the rumored APP
polntments of certain gentlemen Interstate
commerce commissioners. He says:
The American railroad. as an institution is not inn
maeulate. Its general offices are no more insured
against entrance OF designing and Wlckedly minded
men than is pulpit the Sunday or the straw
berry festival Granted. however, that, like most
human concerns the American railroad needs refor-
nation the very considerable question arises where
shall we look for the reformer 1t has yet
perhaps to be principle in economies that the safest
and most expert administrator of specially is tie
one who has had the least practical experience thereof
But there nevertheless appears to be- if exact
enunoiation of such a incple by no means I'M
usual tendency to such practice
Mr. Morgans paper touches upon several
points which are covered by the interstate bill.
1t Is difficult to speak of the relative merits
value of contributions to this magazine. mas
much as many writers treat of speeialties in
scientific lore which, while of no special interest
to some classes of readers attract and absorb
the attention of others. Of articles in this
issue which are of general interest may be men
toned one on the higher education of women,
in which the writer DIR. Lucy VI. Hall, offers
facts to contradict the objections that have
been made on physiological grounds. to sub
Jecting women to collegiate training and dis
clpiina In this period of increasing ongevity a
dissertation on the habits and family history of
centenarians. by Professor Humphrey is of con-
temporaneous interest A good many who are
not geniuses, and have no prospects of becoming
such. will, nevertheless, like to- know DR.. Will
lam G. Stevenss opinion of the relation be-
tween genius and mental disease
The wonderful possibilities of photography
are indicated in the PAPER composite photo
graphs in the Century. 1t is written by Profes-
sorStoddard, of Smith College, and several of the
illustrations taken from what might be
called the united portraits Of classes of young
ladies In that institution. There is wierd fas-
cination about these pictures arising. perhaps,
from the idea that while they do not portray the
features of any one of the sitters the common
characteristics of all are given. There is some
n o. mr. nv hnr hut ho 10
which opens wide opportunity for experiment
to the amateur as well as the scientific manipu
lator of the camera. The Lincoln history
touches upon the movement for slavery extern
sion, and sets forth the causes leading to the
Missouri compromise, and later to its repeal
with remarkable clearness and comprehensive
ness considering the space which can be allotted
to a subject which is incidental only to the main
purpose of the work. The widespread interest
III the faith-cure movement is recognized by the
appearance of another paper from Dr. Buckley.
combating what he considers the delusions of
fauatcism Another article on the same sub
gject is by of the disciples of the movement,
and is OF course, an apology and attempted de-
Tense. In place of the usual war paper, former
clerk of the War Department gives his recolec-
tons of Secretary Stanton In the course Of his
narration he relates the following character
istic anecdote of Mr.. Lincoln:
When Mr. Stanley, of North Carolina. appoint
ed military Governor of his State the Secretary of
War caused to be filed out one of the blank feI ms
used for notifying military nominees of their appoint
ment to Office by the President, and when he had
signed it and caused the seal of the Department of
War to be attached to it. he concluded that it would
be well to have the manual of the President affixed
to the instrument He sent the commission to the
White House with the request that the President
would sign and return it Immediately. Mr. Lincoln |
took the document and read it carefully and
then began turning and twisting it about as though
in search of something At last he handed it the
bearer and said ironically:
Did Mr.. Stanton say whore l to put my sig
natures"
NO sir replied the astonished clerk
Can you tell me- asked the President, Where |
abouts this paper am put my signatnrea" The
clerk looked at the commits ion and the ample sig
nature of Mr. Stanton insediately at the foot os the
body of the instrument with the counter signature of
the Adutant- general to the left He saw also neat
snug looking white SPACE beneath the sign manual of
the Secretary of War, which Mr. Lincoln might have
occupied to advantage had he seen fit but the clerk
was polite and replied: i don't see place pro-
vded for your signature Mr.. President, and was pro-
ceeding to explain how the commission obviously
about when the President interrupted him and said
in dignied tone: Take the paper back the Sec
rotary of War with my compliments and say that the
President will promptly sign any proper mission
that be sent to him for Governor Stanley any
body else.
In the poetical department is a poem by Fl. w
Taylor, Of Terre Haute, entitled the Rebel |
Yell" Although the writer is an ey confederate
soldier. the verses breathe only the most loya.
sentiments. Its length precludes reprod uction
here.
The 'nonular' character of the new Princeton
Review and its distant remove from the exclu-
sive field of theology and Prssby terianism to
which it is assigned by the unfamiliar public is
indicated with considerable clearness by the
table of contents Of the March issue E. L.
Godkin discusses the tariff. w. NJ. Taylor gives
his view Of the essentials of eloauenee Wood
row Wilson contributes a study of politics W.
P P. Longfellow dscourses Of American arcni-
lecture, Professor Fiske reviews the life of Vic
tor Hugo and NJ Henri Tame gives his view Of
Napolean Ronaparte. That the versatile French
author admres and idealzes the Emperor is in
Dictated by single extract which. in eloquence
of diction and extravaganza of statement ia
xaaralr a Ma Of oil or -